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Having a Say Conference to be held in Morwell

Hundreds of people from all over Victoria will travel to Morwell for the 2004 Having a Say Conference, which will be held from Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 March at Kernot Hall and GippsTAFE complex.

By Latrobe City Council - 15th March 2004 - Back to News

The conference gives people with a disability an opportunity to have a say about things that are important to them.

Latrobe City Deputy Mayor Councillor Lisa Proctor will officially open the conference on Wednesday, followed by Keynote Speaker Roy McAlpine who has been working in self-advocacy for people with a disability for many years. The local drama group from I-Gain Quality Learning Disability Services will conclude the opening of the conference by performing the "Advocacy Rap".

Delegates will then be able to attend a range of presentations and discussion groups over the three days to discuss topics including housing, human relations and family planning, self-advocacy, personal safety, employee rights, lobbying and campaigning and living with Acquired Brain Injury.

Latrobe City’s Project Officer Rural Access, Bill Lawler said that sessions had also been programmed to provide people with information about communication services for people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment.

"Other sessions include how to use the Intellectual Disability Review Panel, the State Government Disability Advisory Committee and the National Abuse and Neglect Hotline," Mr Lawler said.

A special Transport Forum will be held on Thursday afternoon to discuss the proposed changes to the Multi Purpose Taxi Program, a state government funded scheme which subsidises taxi fares for people with a disability.

Mr Lawler added that as well as the formal discussion groups and information sessions, a number of recreational activities had been included on the program to give people a chance to experience a range of activities available in the local area.

"These activities include PowerWorks tours, belly dancing, art, pottery, Sailability, archery, fishing and African drumming.

"Local community radio station Gippsland FM will be coaching people on how to participate in a radio interview. Radio interviews recorded at the conference will be played on Gippsland FM during the conference and on relevant programs after the conference," Mr Lawler explained.

"A drama performance written and produced at workshops during the conference will be the highlight of the final session, along with an open microphone, which will be available for people to have their say about the conference," Mr Lawler said.

Latrobe City and the Department of Human Services are the major sponsors of the conference. Local businesses and community organisations have also provided sponsorship and support.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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